Licensing Windows Server - Directions on Microsoft

Sidebar: Volume Licensing Programs and Resources
Chart: Licensing Desktop OS Architectures
Chart: Pricing for Desktop OS and Related Items
Illustration: Selecting the Appropriate Edition of Windows Client

Monday, 18 August 2008

This report explains how to license the Windows desktop OS to serve PCs, laptops, and other kinds of client devices. It summarizes the various editions of the primary Windows desktop OS, Windows Vista, their costs, and their capabilities. It also explains how to license other kinds of desktop computing systems, such as systems that use “thin client” graphics terminals, or systems that use hardware virtualization to run desktop software on remote servers. The chapter also briefly summarizes the special OS editions and management software customers can obtain by enrolling the Windows desktop OS in Microsoft’s Software Assurance maintenance plan.

This report is part of a larger series of Directions on Microsoft Licensing Outlines and should be used in connection with the Directions on Microsoft Enterprise Software Roadmap.

Sections in the Licensing Microsoft Windows Client and Server Report:

Introduction: Windows has long been the most widely used OS for the desktop and an important OS for servers. Almost every computer running any Microsoft software product needs a Windows OS license.

Licensing for Windows Client: While licensing Windows client for thick-client architectures is straight forward, licensing for virtualized scenarios introduces considerable complexity

Acquiring OS Licenses for Workstations: Microsoft’s rules compel the purchase of a Windows desktop OS license with every new desktop computer

Software Assurance and Other Subscription Licenses: SA, a subscription offering which can be purchased for most any Microsoft software license, adds a variety of extra features and privileges